Some PR experts now predict a massive iPhone 4 recall. They predict it, of course, from their point of view. Remember, these are PR people. From a PR perspective, yes, a recall makes the most sense. In a ‘crisis’ situation like this, you have to move fast and ‘own’ the agenda, set the tone for what is being discussed.

However, this mainly means that Apple has to do something. Which may or may not be a recall.

They could decide to make the iPhone 4 bumper cases $9.99, $5, or even free as an alternative. Of course, this isn’t an actual solution for the antenna design flaw, it just covers up the problem (literally).

But it may prove to be a cheaper way of getting a positive effect on public opinion than a full-blown product recall.

This is Apple after all, one of the most trusted brands in the world. And it may just be that the public needs a bit of reassurance from them, in whatever form possible.

In related news, Apple’s stocks have been hit today by the “Consumer Reports effect”, and were down 4.2%, while the rest of the tech industry was mostly up.

This may be just a one-day event, as some analysts expect it to be. After all, stock prices do vary.

Or it may start a trend, in which case Apple really will take this whole ‘death grip’ issue a lot more seriously.

Initially, there was widespread belief that each and every single one of the threads referencing or discussing the Consumer Reports news was being deleted without warning. At this time it does appear that at least two threads are alive and well, so what’s going on?

Was it a single forum admin who decided he couldn’t handle the truth? Was it a company policy which later got switched because of the backlash?